swimbikerun

because when you get to the point of malnutrition where you can't make it without help, no one else has the critical care expertise to deal with it. That's the problem. PCP's don't have admitting privs to hospitals. Even if they did, knowing how to work PICC lines or dealing with any other stuff, that's not something they've trained on or know how to handle. They also don't have any idea of signs/symptoms of malnutrition. For example, my legs have edema - the vein docs think it is varicose veins because that can be a cause of it. I also have cataracts way long before others do, and the Indians who work at my workplace caught it because back home, when people stopped working the fields and started giving the food to others because they worked the fields, they developed cataracts. When you take all the other physical issues together, that's how you figure out what it is. Regular docs don't know the difference between kwashiorkor and marasmus. That's why no one else has seen malnutrition or would watch for it like a surgeon who's been trained in critical care. I also asked the same thing, trust me I've asked tons of questions and they can't explain it. Once I started reading the medical literature, that's how I picked up on it. Plus, after 4 abdominal surgeries, etc. any procedure outside of EGD or colonoscopy, and multiple GI issues, no one wants to touch you. I had a friend who had her gallbladder removed and a band issue and the GI wouldn't touch her because of "scar tissue".

Thanks Cowgirl for catching us up. I don't like to pry so I wait and see what happens. I'm glad you said something. Thanks also for sharing that. I do better with natural stuff too. When you said "hemocratic" were you talking about hematocrit or the MCV? MCV would indicate a B12 deficiency. I want to make sure I'm not missing any thing.

I thought there was someone from Richmond on here LOL

Not one dumb thing, although I admit Krispy Kreme and the like, the occasional treat, would be nice.

If you want me to give you a rundown on what it is like to have less calories and malnutrition, I can. It encompasses a lot. It doesn't help that the doctor didn't do anything about it or missed it when I was with him. No care now - this is why you always need to investigate your doctor and the staff, etc. If you don't think malnutrition or losing too much is a problem, I'm happy to let someone be in my shoes. Its not fun guys. I've got more problems than when I was fat. I wouldn't change the surgery but the doctor is a different story. I got moved to him after I asked for another. I was uncomfortable with him at first, and I now understand why. Unfortunately, the insurance didn't give you a big choice as the place closest to me wasn't on the insurance list.

What about avocado, those are healthy fats? Peanuts and nuts? Cherries? Dates are huge in calories.

Ha! Mine didn't feel like he owed me an explanation. "*I DID* what *I* thought was right". Did you hear anything about me the patient in there? That's why I say investigate the heck out of the doctor.

Ok so let me ask you both what is stopping you?

Yes get him or her to tell you what is going on in a way it can be understood. That makes no sense.

Agreed. I make the best of what I put in also, the only problem is that I have several GI issues that compound the problem.

In addition to the above excellent ideas, what about Medjool dates? I tried them. They are lots of Fiber and 66 calories each. You wouldn't know it by chewing on them though. They are a mildly almond flavored type of thing and I mean very very mild. Tasty and do help with calories but natural sugar and fiber.

Yes. I had the same thing, eventually hospitalized for malnutrition but much closer out. Do you still have your gallbladder? The other is I am a bit further out than what you are. At the time I was 6 months out of surgery. Is your doctor monitoring you? I'm wondering because I was dropped at 16 months out and the deterioration is because I don't have any care that is appropriate to what is needed.

I vote for what Catherine said above. My view is as long as I am wearing the size clothes I am, I'm not sweating it. A couple bites this early out isn't going to kill you but the issue is: do you want to start doing that habit so soon out from surgery?

I didn't but I sent you one. Oscar Smith is alright. I can ask the cops what they think if you want. LOL. Western Branch, Greenbrier, Hickory and Great Bridge are pretty good. Not a lot of trouble in Ches. P town is a bit more limited.

Thanks LivingFree! No things are getting worse. No one can treat the malnutrition, and the fact is, without the bariatric surgeon who treated it in the first place, there's not a lot they can do. This is why I constantly preach to people to check the doctor and the staff and their procedures and policies thoroughly before you go to them. The older post ops are the ones who need emotional support more so than physical support. In the beginning it is more physical, afterwards more emotional - unless you're stuck in my boat.

Torani I believe . Tahnks!!

Would you all be interested in a forum where you could discuss vegetarian and vegan options without any pressure? We'd of course have an emphasis on getting in as much B12, Protein, etc. as possible but without the pressure thrown at us to have meat. I know I felt uncomfortable with my surgeon who always pushed those things or just Beans at me when I couldn't do them.

Would you all be interested in a forum where you could discuss vegetarian and vegan options without any pressure? We'd of course have an emphasis on getting in as much B12, Protein, etc. as possible but without the pressure thrown at us to have meat. I know I felt uncomfortable with my surgeon who always pushed those things or just Beans at me when I couldn't do them.

Would you all be interested in a forum where you could discuss vegetarian and vegan options without any pressure? We'd of course have an emphasis on getting in as much B12, Protein, etc. as possible but without the pressure thrown at us to have meat. I know I felt uncomfortable with my surgeon who always pushed those things or just Beans at me when I couldn't do them.

Hey I live in Chesapeake, born and raised in Ptown. Give me a PM. I can help you out. Born and raised here, lived here all my life.

Have you tried the Master Gardeners Extensions? http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/ http://extension.arizona.edu/maricopamg http://www.phxgardening.com/grow-vegetables.html http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/vegetables.html http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/20100317arizona-spring-planting-guide.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/azgard/msg1116045925629.html They all can show and help you to grow crops in the heat. I've used the ones here in Virginia. They're great. Some of them even will allow you to swap stuff with them or teach you things like dehydration, canning, etc. Speaking of which, what about homesteading? Have you looked into that? http://homesteading-arizona.blogspot.com/ http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/yavapai-county-zmaz87jfzgoe.aspx http://thepaleomama.com/2013/10/urbanhomesteading/ http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/general-homesteading-forums/homesteading-questions/285458-az-homesteading.html All of these are ways that you can save money and use less resources, conserve. Things you can do around the house. I know here there are groups that allow you to trade, swap and barter. If you can get to a library also, there are ways of getting books on that, or info. What else have you checked into like this?

Bingo - I was going to say cancer patients have done well with it. Beats living with the complications of obesity!

Hmmm hey this is dumb but what about the gardening thing? You could grow some things in that warm weather. That would help with food and getting you out. It would be cooler in the evenings and with the light being out until 730 or 8, that would help that some. What do you like to read? I'm not a fan of TV. I never was. Even as a kid we watched a few things together but I don't care for the mind & ethics destruction that TV is.

Question for you - what made you choose Dr. Terracina vs. Clark?

You can take a list to them to help. Can you get the old doc to help you out? I'm concerned.